Pedal for velocipedes



(No Model.)

' B. E. TUFTS.

PEDAL FOR VELOGIPEDBS.

No. 396,673. Patented Jan. 22, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

' ELMER E. TUFTS, OF SPRINGFIELD, VERMONT.

PEDAL FOR VELOCIPEDES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,673, dated January 22, 1889.

Application filed February 24, 1888. Serial No. 266,100. (No model.)

To coZZ whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, ELMER E. TUFTS, of Springfield, in the county of \Vindsor and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Treadles tor Velocipedes; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention. relates to an improvement in treadles for vehicles propelled by the feet; and it consists in, first, a treadle which is shaped upon both of its sides so as to c011- form to the shape of the foot, and thereby give a bearing for both the hollow and the toe of the foot; second, a treadle which is made of wood, and which is provided with metallic strips upon each of its sides, which strips form flanges. to prevent the foot from slipping off, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide a treadle which is so shaped upon both of its sides as to conform to the shape of the foot, and thereby make it less tiresome for the operator, and at the same time always be in position to receive the foot, and which has its body made of wood, which is strengthened by the metal binding-plates, which serve to prevent the foot from slipping ott from the treadle.

Figure 1 a plan view of a treadle embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the treadle.

A represents the body of the treadle, which is made from a piece of wood, and which is curved alike upon both of its sides, as shown, so as to give a bearing both for the hollow and the toe of the foot, and thus make the effort of operating the treadle less tiresome to the operator than is the case where the ordinary round treadle is used. The convex portion of this body A tits in the hollow of the foot, while the raised front end forms a bearing for the front part of the foot, and thus a support is formed for all of that portion of the foot which is brought into play in working the treadle. This body A of the treadle, being made of a length proportioned to the foot, has a rocking motion instead of a revolving one. Both sides of the body A being shaped alike, the treadle is always in position to receive the foot, no matter which side may be up. Through this body A is made an opening at its center for the crank B to pass through, and upon each side of the central opening are made smaller openings, through which the rivets B are passed, for the purpose of binding the metal plates G against opposite sides of the body. These plates and rivets prevent the body A from splitting or warping, and at the same time serve to prevent the bod y from being worn or injured along its edges by the foot. Each of the side plates is provided with a flange, I, at its center, which extends a suitable distance above the top of the body to prevent the foot from readily slipping off while the machine is in motion, as would otherwise be the case.

The body of the treadle, being formed of wood and properly braced at its sides or sides and ends, is much more durable than the ordinary round treadle and cheaper, besides having a rocking instead of a revolyin motion.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A treadle which is curved upon both of its sides alike, so as to form a bearing both for the hollow and. the toe of the foot, substantially as shown.

2. Atreadle having its body formed of wood, and which is curved upon both of its sides alike, in combination with the metallic plates applied thereto, and the rivets which pass through the body and the plates, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELMER E. TUFTS.

Witnesses:

CHARLES H. SHAW, ELMER O. HARLOW. 

